Verdict
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600, RM23,212 less than the RM338,812 Volkswagen Golf R, but this is a focused four-seat, three-door B-segment hatch with a six-speed manual. Its 1.6-litre three-cylinder makes 296 hp and 400 Nm. The Golf R answers with 329 hp, 420 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time, against 5.2 seconds, while adding five doors, five seats and a 341-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers carrying people or luggage, the Golf is plainly more useful; the GR Yaris is the smaller manual alternative with Torsen limited-slip differentials and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if you want a RM23,212 cheaper, 1,280 kg three-door hatch with a six-speed manual, Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials and five years of unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R if you need five doors, five seats, a 341-litre boot and quicker 4.6-second 0-100 km/h performance from its 329 hp DSG drivetrain.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600; Volkswagen Golf R RM338,812.
- Output: Toyota GR Yaris 296 hp and 400 Nm; Volkswagen Golf R 329 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Toyota GR Yaris 5.2 seconds; Volkswagen Golf R 4.6 seconds.
- Practicality: Toyota GR Yaris has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 174-litre boot; Volkswagen Golf R has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 341-litre boot.
- Transmission: Toyota GR Yaris 6-speed manual; Volkswagen Golf R 7-speed wet DSG automatic.
- Warranty: Toyota GR Yaris 5 years unlimited mileage; Volkswagen Golf R 2 years unlimited mileage.
GR Yaris
- RM23,212 lower purchase price
- Six-speed manual and Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Slower 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.6 seconds
- Only two doors, four seats and a 174-litre boot
- Less power and torque at 296 hp and 400 Nm
Golf R
- 329 hp, 420 Nm and 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five doors, five seats and a 341-litre boot
- Matrix LED headlamps, rear air-con and a 12.9-inch Digital Cockpit Pro
- Costs RM23,212 more
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus five years
- Higher annual road tax at RM372 versus RM207
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM315,600✓ | RM338,812 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM207✓ | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,618 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp at 6,200 rpm | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm | 420 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87 mm × 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6MT | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Toyota | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,995 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,805 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Weight | 1,280 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 174 litres | 341 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R18 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/40R18 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental MaxContact MC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching | 4Motion AWD with Torque Vectoring |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Pre-collision Braking | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used GR Yaris & Golf R for sale
GR Yaris vs Golf R FAQ
Is the Toyota GR Yaris or Volkswagen Golf R better?
The Golf R is better for speed and daily practicality: it reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, has five doors and carries 341 litres. Choose the GR Yaris for its six-speed manual, Torsen limited-slip differentials and five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf R costs RM338,812 and the Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600, so the Golf R is RM23,212 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Volkswagen Golf R has the larger boot at 341 litres, a 167-litre advantage over the Toyota GR Yaris' 174-litre boot.
